Surge preventer



Feb. 13, 1945. 1. M. WHITE 2,369,510

SURGE PREVENTER Filed March 8, 1941 '7 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY Feb. 13, 1945. WHITE SURGE PREVENTER 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 8, 1941 Feb. 13, 1945. 'w TE 2,369,510 SURGE PREVENTER Filed March 8, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR :F'I i-L /ra Morgan l/|//7/'/6 Feb. 13, 1945. 1. M. WHITE 7 SURGE PREVENTER 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Ma'rqhl s, 1941 INVENTbR lra Marga/7 Whf/e' W ATJ'ORNEY Feb. 13; 1945. wHlTE 2,369,510

- SURGE PREVENTER Filed March 8, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR I Ira Marga/7 'Whf/e ATTORNEY Feb. 13, 1945. w n- 2,369,510

I SURGE PREVENTER Filed March 8, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR /ra Marga/7 Whi/e BY ATTORNEY Patented Fa. 13, 1945 .j

"UNITED" STATES PATENT OFFICE SURGE PREVEN'VIEB ,Ira Morgan White, Oakland, Calif., assignor to The Pelton Water Wheel Company, San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of California.

Application March 8, 1941, Serial No. 382,381

Claims. (01. 137-153) 1 My invention relates primarily" to means'for controlling flow in a pipe line, and it is especially concerned with such flow control means utilized in a relatively long pipe-line, flow pressure in which is maintained by, an electrically driven "pump or comparable instrumentality. Devices of this general nature are disclosed in the following patents: 1,995,299, Foulds;

In a pipe line, the inlet of which'is supplied by a power driven pump, important considerations are the difiiculties which might ensue upon 1 a failure of the power and the resulting return flow of liquid, such as Water, withinthe pipe line. Either this return flow, is entirely unchecked and pressure on the pipe line for a predetermined time period, at least, whether or not the disturb- 'ing'factor continues for the predetermined time.

-A furtherobject of my invention is to provide a surge preventer generally useful in pipe-lines. additional'objecto'f my invention is to provide a surge preventer especially adapted for use in pipe lines served by electrically driven pumps.

all of the water and the work involved in pumping it are wasted, or in the event check valves-are utilized to prevent a free return flow, serious surges or water hammer may takeplace, possibly While the foregoing are the principal objects of the invention, others are included in the following description and are apparent from the structures illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which the pipe or the attendant fittings. .It has herepart of the pipe line an opening controlled by a valve, and to open such valve when the power, of the pump fails. This permits a check valve to be utilized and a return flow to take place throu theopening. Then the return flow is throttled and. stopped as quickly as possible'in order to.

' ticular pipe line is foundto be substantially char acteristic of that pipe line, which would indicate that a special surge suppresser should be made for each particular installation. I

In accordance with my invention, however, I provide a structure which will operate 'prior to the occurrence of any excessive pressure and is hencemore'properly a surge preventer. It is also an object of my invention to provide a surge preventer which is substantially a standardized product for economy in manufacture, but which is subject to installation adjustment in a particular pipeline to respond exactlyto the characteristics of that specific pipe line.

- Another object of my invention is to provide a tofore been proposed to provide in an appropriate Fig. 1 is aside elevation-(part of a casing being removed) of one form of surge preventer in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2' is a cross-section, the plane of which is indicated by the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detailed cross-section, the plane of Which is indicated by the lines 3-3 of Fig. 1. A Fig. 4 is a, cross-section, for the most part on a vertical axial plane, through the surge preventer of Fig. 1'.

Fig. 5 is an axial cross-section on an enlarged scale of 'partof the auxiliary valve mechanism of the surge preventer.

Fig.6 is aview similar to Fig. 5, but showing I the auxiliary valve in open position.

Fig. 7 is a planof the control mechanism of the surge preventer.

. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the structure shown.

venter installed and in its normal closed position.

Fig. '11 is a diagram similar to Fig. 10, but showing thesurge preventer in opening position. Fig. 12 is a diagram similar to Figs. 10 and 11, but showing the surge preventer after it has attained its full opened position and is returning at an excessive rate toward'closed position,

Fig; 13 is a side elevation, portions being shown in'cross-section on a vertical axial plane, of a modified'form of surge preventer.

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 7, but showing I the modified form of control structure in crosssection, the planes of which are indicated by the lines 1 4-14 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 151's a cross-section, the plane of which is indicated by the lines ll5 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a detail cross-section, the plane of which is indicated by the lines lB-IG of Fig. 14.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary cross-section of the modified dashpot structure.

Fig. 18 is a diagram of a surge preventer of somewhat modified form applied to a different type of liquid release valve.

Fig. 19 is a side elevation, portions being in a cross-section, of some of the controls utilized with the structure of Fig. 18.

In its preferred form, the surge preventer'of my invention includes a valve for releasing water or other liquid from a pipe line in which the valve is installed, and which valve is provided with mean for causing the valve to open upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition, such as a power failure, and for returning the valve from open to closed position, but only after the valve hasonce attained its fully opened position, and then only at a rate which is not more than a predetermined rate of return.

.In the principal form of my invention the installation is customarily made as shown .in the patents above-enumerated and in which a pump 6 (Fig. supplies fluid to a long pipe line 1, through a return check valve 8 close to the beginning'of the pipe line 1. A surge preventer, generally designated 9, is installed to provide an outlet Ill. The pump 6 is driven by an electric motor ll, included in a suitable circuit l2 from any source of power l3. Normally and when conditions are entirely favorable, the motor I I operates continuously, thereby pumping fiuid continu ously into the line 1. If, however, the power to the motor I l is interrupted, the pump 6 decreases speed, the flow in the pipeline 1 slackens and reverses ultimately closing the check valve 8. In accordance with my invention the surge preventer 9 comes into operation as soon as power to the motor ll fails. Furthermore, even though the power should promptly be restored, the surge preventer neverthelessgoes through a complete cycle of operation.

In one preferred form (Figs. 1 to 12, especially) -my surge preventer 9 includes a valve body It which has an inlet opening 11 to the pipe line 1 and a discharge opening [8 to the outlet l0. Within the valve bod-y there is provided an annulus I9 serving as a valve seat and extended to provide the walls 20 of a cylindrical chamber 2| positioned by a closure cap 22, secured to the valve body I6. Adapted to operate within the cylindrical chamber 2| is a piston having a sealing means 24 therearoundand being extended at a reduced diameter to terminate in. a conical valve 26 adapted when in one extreme position vto abut or seat upon valve seat 19. In another ex treme position the valve 26 is retracted to. be spaced from the valve seat l9 and to be disposed in streamline continuity with the outer contour of the chamber walls 20 to afford free communication between the inlet I! andthe discharge opening I8, which communication is blocked when the valve is closed.

The piston 23 and therefore also, the valve 25 are moved in accordance with certain differential and the packing 24 there remains an annular chamber 29 whichcommunicates with the inlet 11 through a passageway 30. In this fashion the lower face of the piston 23 is always subject to the pressure within the pipeline 1, which therefore tends to move the piston 23 and the valve 26 toward open position. In the event the opening pressure is resisted by a greater pressure, the valve 26 remains closed, or is moved from open position toward closed position. In the event the force acting downwardly upon the upper face of the piston is less than the force within the annular-chamber 29, the piston and valve 28 either move toward open position or remain in open position. Partof the pressure upon the valve mem- ,-ber is upward-pressure acting upon the lower surface of the valve 26 within the confines of the seat l9 ,and'thispressure augments the pressure within the annular chamber 29, but by varying the pressure within the chamber 2|, I control the movement ofthe piston 23 and valve 26.

Pressure liquid for the chamber 2| is supplied from any suitable source and is preferably derived from the line"! nearthe outlet of the pump 6 and passes through a pipe 3| including a filter 32 into a relay valve housing 33, which is connected by a nipple 34 having a circular cylindrical bore 36 to a boss on the cap 22 (see central portion of Figure 1 and also detail shown in Figure 3). Operating within' the bore 36 is a plunger 31 having a freely sliding vfit and allowing some leakage to take place from the pipe 3! around the plunger 31. From the bore 36 below the plunger 31, flow is through a drilled passageway 38 'to the interior of the chamber 2|. Whatever leakage may occur past the packing 24 to deplete the chamber 2 l. ismade up byliquid leaking past the plunger 31 so that normally the pressure within the chamber 2| is fully maintained. When, however, pressure within the bore 36 above the plunger 31 drops for any reason by failure of the motor I l, the plunger 3'l'is displaced upwardly from its closed position as shown in Fig. 3, until it abuts an adjustin screw 38 piercing the body 33 and locked in position by a nut 39 protected by v a cap 4|.

The position of the adjusting screw 38 governs the extent of travel of the plunger 3? and correspondingly controls the annular area of communication between the interior of the bore 36 and the plunger 31 rises to the adjusted amount and the liquid within the chamber 2! passes out through the ducts 38 and 43 to waste; the speed of such flow being regulated by the position of the adjusting screw 38. The valve :26, upon reduction ofv pressure within the bore 36, is no longer blocked by liquid trapped within the chamber 21, but under the .pressure existing within the annular chamber 29 is free to move from its extreme closed position toward its extreme open position. Upon reestablishm'ent of pressure within the upper portion of the bore 36, however, the plunger 31 is restored to its position seated upon the pipe 42, no more liquid can escape from the chamber 2i through the passages 38 and =33 so that the leakage past the plunger 37 r plenishes the chamber 2| and the valve 26 isagain urged towards its seat I9.

Since the pipe 3| is connected to what amounts to a constant liquid supply, the pressure condition existing within the bore 36 depends upon dis- 'dual lever 61 is provided with an extended fulcharge'conditions. Connecting with the bore 36 is a discharge pipe'46 which extends to a relief valve, generally designated 41. This valve has an upper chamber 48 into which the pipe 46 extends and a lower chamber49 connected by a duct 56 to a waste elbow in the cap 22 (see Figure 9). Between the chambers 48 and 49 is a valve seat '52 uponwhich is adapted to be seated a valve 53 1 operated by a stem 54' projecting from the housing 41 and leakage along which is precluded by apacking 56. An abutting screw 5'! pierces the bottom of the chamber 49 and is held in posi-' tion by a locknut 58 so that the amount of opening and the area for flow over the valve seat 52 is regulated byabutment of the valve 53 with the adjusting screw 51." When the valve is closed or seated no how can occur through the conduit 46, and hence the pressure within the bore 36 above the plunger 31 remains equal to that in the pipe 3|. When, however, the valve 53 is opened, the

pressure within the bore 36 drops permitting the plunger 31 to lift and the chamber 2| to be exhausted, since the area for flow over'the valve seat 52 is greater than the area of flow through the pipe 3|. By suitably setting the adjusting screw 51, the rate at Which the plunger 31 can rise is regulated. Thus, the position of the valve stem 54 through the relay valve 33 determines whether or notthe valve 25 opens.

- Apart from its functions as a surge preventing crum pin 10. This fulcrum pin is normally engaged by twin latch hooks having a. common hub and swinging on an axle 12 supported on a headplate I3, which also seals the valve housing 41. The fulcrum pin is urged against the latch hooks H'bya coil spring 14 abutting a collarbody 16 connected by a pivot pin 11 to the dual lever 61. The spring 14 also abuts an adjusting thimble l8 screwed into the base plate 63 and held in position by a locknut 9 so that by adjusting the thimble 18 the effect of the spring 14 can be varied, 1

The relationship of the various pivots is such that normally when the electro-magnet 64 is energized to contain the armature 65 as it is during customaryoperation and the fulcrum pin 16 is effective, the spring 14 is compressed and the valve 53 is held on its seat 52.

When, however, the magnet 64 is deenergized, the spring 14 is then effective to rotate the dual lever 61 clockwise, as seen in Fig. 9, around the axis of the fulcrum pin Hi to move the valve stem 54 downwardly to open the valve 53 as far as the adjusting stem 51 will permit. I Thus, when there is a power failurethe valve 53 is immediately opened. This, through the previously described connections, initiates an opening movement of the main valve 26.

valve, the valve 26 can be opened" to release liquid from the pipe line 1 at times, to act as a pressure regulator. For this added function, pressure from the controlling source, such as the pipe I is. communicated through a duct 59 to a standard pressure-responsive flow controller 66 located in' a drain line 6| extending from the upper part of the bore 36 to the drain elbow 5|. When the controlling pressure is low or normal, the regulator prevents flow through the drain line 6!, or permits flownot greater than the influx through pipe 3|. But when the controlling pressure is excessive, the regulator 66 opens the drain line 6| so that the upper bore Q6 connects to the drain elbow 5|, the pressure above the plunger 3'! falls, and the valve 26 opens, as before. Upon restoration of the controlling pressure to normal value,

the regulator 60 closes the drain line 6| and the plunger 31 is restored to itsseat so that valve 26 closes.

A similar effect canat any time be produced by hand upon manual operation of a spring urged control button 62 which, when operated opens the controller 66 so that flow from the upper bore 36 persists as long as the button is held depressed,

but conditions are restored when the button 62 is released. The valve 26 can thus be manually opened partially or entirely.

In order to actuate the valve stem 54, I preferably arrange it so that the valve stem is-responsive to a failure of power in the circuit l2 to the motor so that instantly there is a failure of power the surge preventer begins to operate. For

, that reason at a convenient point in association with thehousing 41 and preferably on the same mounting plate 63 therewith, I mount an electro magnet 64, the fi'eld coil of which is disposed in the circuit l2 with the motor and is energized and deenergized in synchronismth'erewith. The movable armature 65 of the electro-magnet is connected by a pivoted link 66 to a dual lever 61, one extremity of which is connected by a pivot pin 68 to an adjusting fitting 69, located on the top of the stem 54. Adjacent to the pivot 68, the

Adapted generally to be translated with the piston 23 and the main valve and mounted in connection therewith, is a valve stem tube 9|. surrounding a rod 92 (Fig. 5) which at'its lower end is threaded into a reduced fitting 63 secured by threads 94 in the valve body 21. The fitting is piercedby passages 96 and 91, which latter merges with a passage 98 in the valve body so that all of the passages together form a conduit between the interior of the chamber 2! and the outlet l8 of the valve body. Flow through such conduit is, however, subject to the relative position of the tube 9|,.the lower end of which is provided with a cooperating seat 99 within the lower end of the body 21, so that when the tube 9| through the conduit, whereas when the tube 9| is away from its seat, flow can be freely effectuated. In order normally to hold the tube 9| in closed position, it is provided with an-interior washer |0|, seated on an abutment within the tube and forming a support for a closure spring I02.

The spring also presses against an adjusting nut I63 accessible through an aperture I64 in the side of the tube 9| and engaging the upper threaded end of the rod 92. By turning the nut I03 the pressure with which the tube ,9! is held on its seat 99 is varied. The tube 6| through astuffing gland H2 in the lower head 3 of a dashpot cylinder I M. This structure is supported by a spider H6 from the cap 22; Disposed within the dashpot cylinder H4 is a dashpot piston fast on the extension stem so that the tube 9| moves in unison with the movement of the piston The upward movement of the piston within the cylinder H4 is virtually unhampered, since the piston is'prois seated thereupon no flow takes place vided with a pair of check valves II8, each of which has a spring II9 normally effective to close it. When the check valves open, fluid flows from the cylinder I'I4 above the piston through passages I2I controlled by the valves to the cylinder II4 below the piston. The direction of opening of the valves I I8 is such that the ascend-- ing movement of the valve 26, which causes the tube 9I to rise in concurrence therewith, isvir tually unhampered.

However, descending movement is restricted by the dashpot, since upon return movement of the piston II1, the valves II8 are closed and the lowering travel is subject to the rate at which fluid can pass from the cylinder II4 beneath the piston I I1 to the cylinder I'I4 above the piston. This flow is preferably through a conduit I22 containing a regulating valve I23, which can be set as desired so that the rate at which the tube 9i descends is governed by the setting of the dashpot regulator. If the piston body 21 should descend faster than the dashpot permits the stem III to descend, the spring I02 (Fig. is compressed, the tube 9I leaves its seat 99, the fluid flows from the chamber 2! out through the conduit comprised of the passages 96, 91 and 98. The pressure within the chamber 2i is therefore reduced to retard the closing movement of the pisthe pivot I44 is a plate I46 carrying a standard mercury switch I41 in series circuit with the electro-magnet 64 and with a magnet I48 which, when energized holds an armature I49 and the switch I41 in a circuit closed position but unbalanced to the right (Fig. 8). When the power fails, the magnet I48 is also deenergized, the armature I49 is no longer attracted thereto and the plate I46, being unbalanced, rotates to the right until the mercury switch I41 opens the circuit and also a stop pin I5l carried by the plate I46 abuts the arm I42. Any restoration of power ton body 21 until the dashpot descends farther to lessen the compression of the spring I 62 so that the tube 9| is again seated-and the pressure in the chamber 2I forces the piston 23 further to descend. In this fashion the dashpot which is interposed between the main valve body 21 and the valve stem 9| is effective to govern the rate of closure of the main valve. This rate is therefore set or established independently of operating pressure and can only be varied by altering the adjusting valve I23 in the conduit I22.

The rod I I I projects through an upper'closure plate I24 onthe dashpot cylinder II4 to elevate a stem I26, on which is a collar I21 (Fig. 8). As the stem rises, the collar approaches an arm I28 merging with the boss of the latch lever 1I.

When the collar I21 abuts the arm I28 and 0011- 'tinues to rise, the latch levers II are rotated against the urgency of a spring I29 secured to the arm I28 until the fulcrum pins 10 are released and the spring 14 is promptly effective to close the valve 53 as previously described. As soon as the collar I 21 begins to descend, the spring I29 tends to restore the latch levers H, but the ends of these abut against the pins 13 until the eleotromagnet 64 is again energized whereupon the latch levers 1I again hook onto the pins 16.

Also operating in conjunction with the operation of the lever arm I28 is an electric switch I3I. When there is a power failure the switch trips and the circuit cannot again be closed until the switch is reset, and since resetting cannot occur until the valve 26 has achieved its extreme open position, there is assurance that the valve will open fully and complete a cycle even though the power interruption may be but momentary. On the arm I28 I provide a boss I32 against which a pair of adjusting nuts I33 abut. These are on the upper end of the rod I34 extending to an arm I36 to which the rod is pivoted by a bolt I31.

The arm I36 is connected by a pivot pin I38 to.

the base 63. Also mounted on the pin I31 is a link I39 connected by a pivot I4I to an actuating arm I42 of the switch I3I. Aspring -I43 normally urges the arm I42 in one direction.

Within the electric switch I3I freely rocking on before the mercury switch I41 is reclosed is ineffective upon the magnet 64. The switch I41 is therefore reclosed when the Valve is freely open and hence a complete stroke is assured. When the collar I21 approaches its upper range of movement and lifts the arm I42, the abutting pin I5I also rotates the plate I46 through a central positionand until it is unbalanced to the left (Fig. 8) and rests against a stop pin I52 with themercury switch I41 in closed position. Thus the circuit to the magnet 64 and to the electro-magnet I48 is reclosed just as the collar I21 and the valve achieve their uppermost positions. As the collar I21 descends, the arm I42 returns to its normal position under urgency of the spring I43, but the plate I46 remains in unbalanced position to the left. When the power is subsequently restored the magnet 64 and the electro-magnet I48 are reenergized so that the armature I49 is again attracted to-move the plate I46 back to an unbalanced position to the right, but with the mercury switch I41 still closed.

In accordance with this arrangement, therefore, the surge preventer is immediately put into action as soon as there is a power failure and completes its opening stroke whether the power failure is momentary or is protracted. As soon as the valve has been fully opened, however, the latch levers H are tripped off, and conditions are put into effect for again closing the valve, which is returned at a rate not to exceed a predetermined rate since any excess movement of the valve produces an opening of the conduit formed by the apertures 96, 91 and 98 to release excess closing fluid. Thus, the valve finally seats itself at the predetermined rate and the system is restored to normal.

In some installations a modified form of surge preventer is utilized, the general conditions of installation being substantially the same as previously described, but the particular form of the valve and immediately associated mechanism being somewhat altered. In this arrangement there is provided a valve housing I6I having an inlet connection I62 and a discharge opening I63. Within the valve housing is a valve seat I64 removably held in place by fastenings I66 and which seat is continued to provide a differential diameter cylinder I61 having an opening chamber I68 and a closing chamber I69, between which a :piston I1I of a valve body I12 is disposed. A valve cone I13 completes the lower end of the valve body and is adapted to cooperate with the seat I64 to effect closure and opening of the passageway extending between the inlet I62 and the outlet I63.

Fastened to the piston HI and the valve body I12, there is a valve stem I16 which is constructed exactly as is the valve stem shown in the preceding figures and which pierces a sealing gland I-11 in the closure cap I18 of the valve housing I6I and extends through an intermediate generally circular chamber casing I18 resting upon ascetic the-cap I18; A dashpot-cylinder I8-'I closed by a sealing cap "I82 is supported onthecasing I19.

sure. To supply the chamber I69 there extends from a source of fluid under pressure such as the pipeline in which the valve is installed; a pres' sure pipe I83 from which'a branch pipe I84 ex-- tends to an outlet I86 communicating with the interior of the chamber I69 and normally-maintaining-suchchamber full of liquid. Since, the

area under pressure abovethepiston I1 Iis considerably in excess of the area-of the exposed,

valve face I13, and sincethe intermediate chamber I68-is normally in communication with a drain pipe I81, in the usual case the valve isheld closed, I Also in. communication with the chamber; I69

intermediate body 119' and which merges with a pilot valve chamber I89 within which'is dispos ed a cylindrical sleeve I9I. valve piston I92 is adapted to reciprocate and includes a valve cone I93 cooperating with a valve seat I94 included-in the cylinder I SI, and disposed between the'interior of said cylinder and admin connection I96 which extends to any region of low pressure. A passageway I9 8 when open affords communication between the drain I96 andbetween a chamber I99 above the-piston I92 in eiTect, and within the cylinderyl9l, but ordinarily communication through such'passage I98 is blocked by a-plunger valve 2M, which'is provided with a valve-cone 293 adapted to seat upon the interior of the valve-piston I92."

The plunger I extends through: a packing 204, held in place within the-housingl89 by a; closure cap 206 and'connected by an adjusting nut and threaded connection 261" ma fitting 209,

Within the sleeve a- I j is a duct I88 a portion of which iscast'within the jects- :from--*the' hub 229- and terminates in a threaded member 293 into which is screwed a stem234 heldin adjusted position by a lock nut 236. The upper endof the-stem 234 carries an abutment washer 231 inthe path of a collar 299 situatedon the valve stem I16.

In the operation of this structureas so far described-the partsare normally in the position shown in Fig." 15, but when a power failure occurs the electro-magnet 22I is deenergizedso that the spring223 is effective immediately to rock the dual'lever 2I3 about the pin 221 of the fulcrum, thereby translating the plunger 20I axially toward the right in Fig, 15 and against theadjusted stop 209; This movement of the plunger valve opens the passageway I98 between the chamber I99andthe drain outlet I96. Since the chamber I99 has previously been filled by leakage around the periphery of the piston I92'from the passageway'I88; the valve I92 theretofore has been held upon its seat, but upon availability of the passageway I98 for escape of the pressure liquid 'thereto'fore entrapped',the pressure of the liquid within the passageway I98, and of coursein the chamber I69;is effectiveto unseatthe piston valve I92translating it to the right in Fig, 15

so that the piston valve I92 follows the operation drain opening I996, thereby permitting the pressure of the pipeline fluid-actin through the inlet I62 and against-the lower face of the valve ly entrapped liquid in the chamber I69 out through the drain opening I96. The rate at which this displacementcan occur is regulated by the axialtravel of which is limited by an adjusting screw 209 threadedly engaging the wall of the casing I19 and adjustably locked into position by a cap 2I I;

Pivotally connected to the fitting 208, by a" pin 2I2, is a dual lever 213, which at its oppo- .ofthe housing I19. The electro-magnet 22I' is so introducedinto the electric circuit of the power supply for the pressure source of the line in which the valve is disposed, that when the power is on and conditions are normal the solenoid 22I is energized and maintains the parts'in the position shown in Fig.'15. i

Against the effect of the energized electror" magnet 22I a coil spring 223 exerts its force. This'sprin'g at one end is connected-"to an eyelet 224 fastened'in'thedual lever 2I3; and at its 'otherend projects through a suitable aperture in the casing I19 and is connected to an adjust.-

ing structure 226 so that the tension of thespring 223 can be established or varied.

Also a part of the dual lever 2I31is a fulcrum pin 221 which has a lost-motion engagement with a pair of fulcrum hooks 2'28 which aresecured to a' common hub 229-mounted by a pivot rod 23I in the casing I19. An extension lever.232 pro 6 sition, of the switch 24 I the screw-209 which serves as a stop, not only for the plungervalve 201, but also for the piston I I92 and thereby limits the maximum area of the passageway between thejduct I88 and the drain opening I96. Consequently, upon the occur-I rence. of a power failure, the valve body I12 initiates travel from closed position toward open position. y

In order as in the previous'instance, to, insure that even though the power failure. is but 1110-, mentary, the travel or the valve I12 will be. a complete stroke from closed positionv to fully openedposition, I dispose within casing I19 an electrical switch 24I which is included in an appropriate circuit with the power supply'and is normally inclose'd position. On thevalve stem I16 just below the collar 238 is a secondary col-. lar. 242 which when the. valve is closed rests against a spring arm 2 43 just out of contact with a controlling plunger 244 regulating the po- As soon as the stem I16, starts its upward movement, the collar 242 rises out of abutment with the spring 243, which due to its resiliency then presses against the plunger 24.4 to open the, switch 24I'. Thus, as long as the collar 242. has risen away from its closeclposition and until it returnsto its closed positions, thereby restressing the spring 243' and relieving the pressure uponthe stem or abutment 244, the switch 24I remains open and even a time as the collar 23B rises intouabutment with and carries with it the washer 231. This washer being adjustable, the abutment position can be arranged to occur within a wide range adjacent the upper limit of the valve stroke. When the washer 231 is lifted it simultaneously rotates the extension 232. One effect of 'this is to relieve the previously maintained pressure upon the plunger 246 of a normally closed electricswitch 241, which is appropriately included in the power supply circuit, and which is opened as soon as the extension 232 is lifted.

The movement upwardly of the extension 232 also rotates the hub, 229 and lifts the fulcrum latches 228 off of the fulcrum pin 221 so that the spring 223 is effective to urge the plunger Valve 20I axially toward the left in Fig. thereupon closing it against the piston I92 and also urging the piston itself axially toward the left in Fig. 15 so that communication between the passage I88 and the drain I96 is interrupted. The chamber I69 at all times is connected to the pressure supply from the pipe I83 by the pipe I84 and the aper ture I86 so that upon blocking of the means of liquid escape by seating of the piston valve I92 and the plunger valve 21", the chamber I69 refills with pressure liquid, and since its area is greater than that exposed to the pressure within the inlet pipe I62, the valve I12 is returned to seating position.

The rate of return of the valve is established at a value which cannot be exceeded by the provision of a dashpot piston 25I operating within the dashpot cylinder I8I. This piston 25I is connected to a pilot valve within the main valve I13 exactly as described in connection with Figs. 1 to 12 inelusive, although the construction of the dashpot piston itself is somewhat different in order to avoid external pipin and external adjustment.

In the present modification the piston 25I which is secured to the valve stem I16 and which divides the cylinder I8I into an upper chamber 252 and a lower chamber 253 is provided with a poppet or unbalanced valve 254 controlling flow through a passage 256 affording communication freely between the chambers 252 and 253. The valve 254 is normally urged seated by a spring 251 which is tensioned by an adjusting nut 258 on the valve stem and is arranged so that when the piston 25I rises, the valve 254 opens readily and affords free communication between the chambers 252 and 253 imposing substant ally he restriction therefore on the movement of the main valve I12. Yet upon return or lowering movement of the piston 2'5I, the valve 254 seats, blocking communication through the passageway 256 so that ordinarily but little or no flow could occur from the chamber 253 back into the chamber 252. A passageway 26I extends from the chamber 253 to the chamber 252, the flow through which is regulated by a threaded needle valve 252 locked in an adjusted position by a pinch stud 263. Adjustment of the needle valve s possible only by removing the closure I92 of the dashpot cylinder so that tampering is unlikely. The adjustment of the needle valve 262 is preferablyset at any value which will regulate the flow returning from the chamber 253 to the chamber 252 in such a fashion .as to afford the desired rate of return of the main valve body I12 from its fully opened position to its fully closed position. Preferably an in-.

d cator rod 264 extends from the stem I16 and projects from the cap I82 to give a visual indication of the position of the valv I 72. The liqu d within the dashpot cyclinder I8! is replenished from an external supply tube 266.

Under the control of the dashpot structure valve 2M.

therefore, the valve I12 after attaining its open position returns at a controlled rate or not faster than a predetermined rate to its closed position. Whenever the power is restored the solenoid 22I is reenergized attracting the armature 2'19 back into the position shown in Fig, 15 and rocking the dual lever 2I3 to retension the spring 223. Shortly after the valve stem I16 has descended from its maximum upper position th upper collar 238 drops below the washer 231 thereby permitting the free ends of the latch levers 228 to ride upon the pins 221. If the solenoidis then energized the latch levers 238 drop over the fulcrum pin 221 again, restoring those parts to their original condition and the extension lever 232 recloses the switch 241 so that the main power can be re-- stored. But if the solenoid should be disabled, the switch 241 is not then reclosed and the main power cannot be restored until the trouble is rectified. Finally, just as the valve I 12 closes, the secondary collar 242 again contacts its spring 243 so that the switch MI is restored to its normally closed position. The mechanism therefore is ready for functioning again upon occurrence of a similar power failure.

In addition to its function as a surge preventer in the pipe line upon occurrence of a power failure effective upon the electromagnet 22I, the structure may also be utilized as a device which will relieve excessive pressure in the pipe line upon occurrence of a pressure therein greater than a predetermined value. For that reason, on the pressure supply line I83 which is connected to the pipe line, an extension 2 is provided leading to a standard spring pressed and adjustable pressure relief Valve 212, which is set at any predetermined value of pressure. Upon the occurrence of an excessive pressure the valve 212 is thereby opened, and permits fluid to flow from the extension 21f into a connection213 extending into one end of a bore 214 disposed adjacent the valve seat I9 and the drain outlet I96. Situated within bore 214 is a piston 216, one face of which is therefore subjected to pressure within the pipe 213,'and the other face. of 'which is exposed to the substantially lower pressure in the drain opening I98, but being also connected by a stem 211 to the plunger valve 20 I.

With this arrangement, as soon as an excessive pressure occurs in the pipe line and as soon as the valve 212 opens, fluid passes through the pipe 213 and presses against the piston 216, trans lating it toward the right in Fig. 15 against the urgency of the spring 223, and unseats the plunger This unseating of the plunger valve causes the piston valve I92 to open as previously described and permits the chamber I69 to exhaust to the drain I96, thereby opening the valve I13 as previously described.

Immediately, however, upon reduction of pressure in the main pipe l ne below the predetermined value, the valve 212 closes, further communication with the piston 216 is disrupted and due to leakage around the piston, the pressure equalizes on opposite sides thereof so that the spring 223 is again effective on the dual lever 2I3 to retranslate the plunger 2III back to its seated positon and to carry with it the piston valve i92, the lost motion arrangement between the fulcrum pin 221 and the latch hooks 228, permitting this operation. As soon as the plunger valve 295 and the piston valve I92 are reseated, the chamber l is again filled with pressure fluid and the main valve I13 is reseated in closed position, this movement also being under the general control of the 2,369,310. dashpot Nil asqto rate, but being entirely independent of the electrical circuit since the electromagnet 22! remains energized at all times.-

The surge preventer is further modified under difierent conditions of installation, particularly for use with a Larner-Johnson type of valve. In

this installation which is illustrated partiallydiagrammatically inl igs. l8 and 19, a pipe linev is provided with a relief pipe 33! which merges with the outer casing 302 or", the Larner-J ohnson valve, generally designated 333, and which outer casing merge swith a discharge duct 304. Within the casing 302- and coaxial-therewith is a cylinder housing 306 defining 'aichamber 301, separated from a chamber 338 by a piston 309, to which is joined a valve cone 3|! adapted when closed to seat, on a seat 312, located betweenthe interior .of the housing 302 and the duct 30I, so that when the valve is closed fiow outwardly irom the pipe line is blocked although when the valveis open such flow takes place readily.- The chamber'338' is normally connected to the exterior of the housing 302 by aduct 3H) and is normally subject to atmospheric pressure, while the charm her-@301 is subject to pipe pressure within the duct 30 I. This latter connection is accomplished by a pine 3l3 which extends through a fixed ori.

fice 3|4 to the interior of a housing 3l6 merging with the interior of'the chamber 301. Sincethe area above or to the'left of'the piston 309' is con siderably greater than that below. the piston within the chamber308, the v alve 3' is normally urged closed.

Mounted on the piston3ll9 is a rack 3l1 with which meshesa gear 318 on a shaft 3l9, extending through the housing 315 and passing through a packing gland 32l'and terminating'in a fitting 322 for the installation of a lever for manipulationof the structure. Also on the shaft 3I9l is a gear 323 meshing with a rack tube 324'c0nstrained to axial movement by, a telescopic connection with a'rod 326. The telescopic or lost motion connection comprises a pin 321 extending diametrically'through the rack tube 324 and runningin a slot 328 in the rod 326, the end of theslot being'defined by an adjustable abutment stud 329 held' in adjustedposition by a lock nut established. In accordance with this arrangement all movements of the-piston 309 are "reflected in the rack tube 324 either in equivalent lever 338 by a coilspring 354 tionary support 356. v

When the powerto the solenoid 33in fails, the coil spring 336 is effective to lower the armature mounting 348, an-d at its-upper .end normally urged into engagement with, a pin 353 on the connected to a sta- 333 and to rock the lever 338 about the fulcrum pin 353, simultaneously slightly depressing or compressing the spring 350. Partaking of this movement of the lever 338, is an adjustable valve stem ,36l' connected by a pin 362 to the lever 338 and connected to a valve plunger 363 extending through a packing gland 364 at the upper end 015a valve" housing 348. The valve stem 363 has a reduced portion 336 adjacent which a pipe 361 merges'with the interior of the valve housing 348,

v the pipe being provided with an adjustable ori-' fice3d8-an-d extending to a connection 369 with theinterior of thechamberiiitl, Thus, communication-is established from the chamber 381 through the adjustable orifice 333 to the interior 3l4, so that the'liquid 'otherwise trapped within the chamber 331 is freeto fiowout of the drain when'the valve 31! is open, but the rate of dis chargeof "such liquid is governed by the adjustableorifioe 368, so that the opening of the valve 3H due to the superior pressure existing within "33!, so that the'extent of lost motion between therack 324' and the rod 326 may be adjustably the conduit isat an established rate. Consequently, immediately. the valve 31! 'is opened the valve 31 1 starts its opening movement and the rate thereof is governed by the position of the adjustment 3'68.

' Ina similar fashion to the preceding modifications, provision is made for preventing an immediate restoration of power returning the valve to its closed position prior to the time it has made afull stroke or a complete cycle. -r-l-ppro priately included inlthe electrical circuit are contacts 313 l l and 314, the latter of which is preferably mountedor proportional amount, depending upon the gearing.

In this arrangement, as in the preceding onesQ there is provided a solenoid 33!, which is in-- cluded in a suitable circuit with the source of 7 power and which is mounted in a suitable housing 332. Thesolenoid is ordinarily energized and.

retains in upper position an armature 333. which is urged downwardly; toward, a, stop 334, by a 1 spring 336 which engages apin 331, extending from a lever 338 connected by a pivoted link 339 to the armature 333; The spring is anchoredby :an adjustable bolt34l held in position on a mounting bracket-342 by adjusting screws 343.

The lever 338 also is provided with fulcrum pins 344 fitting in slots 343 in the bifurcated end of a housing 348. A'sliding washer349 encompassing the stem 341 is urged upwardly against arcuate mountingrod 341 stationarily disposed on a valve on the rack tube 324, so that as soon as the valve 3| l starts to open, the contacts 313 and 314 are separated, thereby opening a circuit so that subsequent restoration of power prior to the time the valve returns to its closed position is ineffective to reenergize the solenoid 33l, which therefore necessarily remains in'open position all of the time that the valve 3! l is ofi of its seat.

As the valve 3H during its opening movement approaches its maximum open position, the lost motion connection between therack tubes'324 and 326 is taken up sothatthe pin 321 abuts .the adjustings'tud'329, and the rod326is then'tran s late'dialong with and in unison .withthe rack tube 324; The rod 323 is connected by a pivot pin 316 with the lever 35!; so that as the valve achieves itsfully openedposition, the lever 35l is rocked on its 'pivot 352 against the urgency of the spring 354 to release the fulcrum pin 353.

' The 'efiectvof such release is to permit the relafaceson thelever 338 by a coil spring 350,, :but 3 resulting upward movement of the lever is restrained by a latchlever 35! at its ,lowerend' connected by a pivot 352 to the stationary tively strong spring 353 todrive the pin'344 and theilever338 in a generally upwardly direction to lift the valve plunger 3 63'upwardly 'and'to reseat the valve 31l,-blocking communication between the chamber 301 and the drain. When the communication is blocked, inflowing liquid passin the fixed orifice 3| 4 is no longer able to escape through the adjustable orifice 368, the chamber 3011 is refilled with pressure fluid, and since the area exposed thereto on the side of the piston 300 is greater than that exposed to the pressure within the conduit 30!, the valve 3H is reclosed at a rate established by the size of the fixed orifice 3 I 4. I

During its closing movement, the valve 3 causes re-translation of'the rack tube 324 back toward its original position, ultimately releasing the lever 35!, which is restored to its latched position by the spring 354 as soon as the solenoid 33! is reenergized upon restoration of power, and rocks the lever 338 about the pin 362 as a pivot, simultaneously tensioning the relatively weak spring 336 and also recompressing the relatively strong spring 350. As the parts attain their closed position, the contacts 313 and 314 again come into abutmentrestoring all of the mechanism to its original condition ready for a subsequent surge preventing operation.

In this arrangement as well as in the preceding ones provision can readily be made for opening the main valve 3| I in response to excessive pres-,

sure within the pipe line 30!. That is readily effectuated in the present instance by connecting the pipe 3|3 through a duct 38l to a pressure responsive diaphragm 382, which moves in accordance with excessive pressure against the urgency of a spring 383, to open a valve 384 afiording communication between the pipe 3 l 3 and a drain pipe 386, such connection being on the low pressure side of the restricted orifice3l4. The size of the passage through the valve 384 is considerably in excess of the area for flow through the restricted orifice 3| 4, so that when the valve 384 isopened in response to excessive pressure, the chamber 301 of the valve discharges its contents and the valve opens as previously described. When the excessive pressure is dissipated, the spring 333 is then permitted by the diaphragm 382 to reclose thevalve 384 so that pressure fluid again refills the chamber 301, closing the valve at the predetermined rate.

I. claim:

1. Av surge preventer for use in a pipe line comprising a valve for releasing fluid from said pipe line, means responsive to pressure for urging said valve toopen, superior means responsive to pressure for urging said valve to close, means responsive to an abnormal pressure in the pipe line for disabling said superior urging means, and means supplying pressure fluid. thereto at a. predetermined rate, means responsive to an abnormal pressure in the pipe line for releasing said pressure fluid therefrom at a greater rate, and means operated by said piston in full open position for rendering,v said releasing means; ineffective.

v 3.. A surge preventer'for use in a pipe. line comprising a. valve for releasing, fluid from said pipe line and adaptedto move from: a closed position:

to an open position, means responsive to hydraulic pressure for urging said valve toward closed position, means operative upon occurrence of an increase in the pressure in said pipe line for rendering said hydraulic responsive means ineiiective, and means operated upon attainment of open position by said valve for again rendering said hydraulic responsive means effective.

4. A surge preventer comprising a valve body and a valve adapted to occupy a closed position or an open position, means responsive to pressure for urging said valve from said closed position toward said open position, means for preventing said valve from moving from said closed position toward said open position, means responsive to an abnormal pressure for rendering said preventing means ineffective, and means operating when said valve'is in said open position for again rendering said preventing means effective.

5. A surge preventer for use in a fluid pipe line in which pressure is maintained comprising a valve for releasing fluid from said pipe line and adapted to move from a .closed position to an open position, a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, means connecting said piston and said valve, means for subjecting a small area on one side of said piston to the pressure of fluid in said pipe line, meansior subjecting a larg area on the other side of said piston to'the pressure of fluid in said pipe line, normally closed means for releasing fluid from said cylinder on said other side of said piston, means responsive to an abnormal pressure in the pipe line for opening said releasing means to effect opening movement of said valve, and means for reclosing said releasing means only upon attainment of open position by said valve.

6; A surge preventer for use in a fluid pipe line in which pressure is maintained comprising a valve for releasing fluid fromsaid pipe line. and adapted to move from a closed position to an open position, a differential piston connected to said valve and normally subjected on opposite sides to the pressure of fluid in saidpipe line, means responsive to' an abnormal pressure in the pipe line for releasing said pressure from dne side of said piston to eflect opening movement of said valve, and means for rendering said releasing means ineffective only upon attainment of full open position by said valve.

7. A surge preventer'for use in a pipe line, com,- prising a normally closed valve adapted to be opened to release fluid from said pipe line, means responsive to an. abnormal pressure in said pipe line for moving said valve to full open position,

means for closing said valve and means operative by the movement; of the valve to full open position for energizing said valve closing means.

8. A surge preventer for use in a pipe line, comprising a normally closed valve adapted to be i moved from full closed position to full open position and back to full closed position, means responsive to pressure for moving said valve through said cycle of movement and means responsive to an increase in pressure in said pipe line for con trolling said valve moving means.

9. A surge preventer comprising: a valve body having an inlet for connection to a pipe line, and

an outlet for connection to a drain; a cylinder depending into said valve body; a cylindrical valve slidable within said cylinder and defining there-- pipe line pressure; means responsive to van increase in the pipe line pressure for relieving the vpressure within said valve closing expansible chamber; and means responsive to a predetermined expansion of said valve opening expansible" chamber for disenabling. said relievingmeans.

10. A surge preventer for use in a pipe line comprising-2a valve for releasing fluid from said pipe line and adapted to move from a closed position to an open position; first means responsive to the hydraulic pressure in said pipe line for I ing said first means again effective.

IRA MORGAN WHITE.- 

